Abstract
Low molecular mass (LMM) fractions obtained from extracts of raspberry, red chicory, and Shiitake mushrooms have been shown to be an useful source of specific antibacterial, antiadhesion/coaggregation, and antibiofilm agent(s) that might be used for protection towards caries and gingivitis. In this paper, the effects of such LMM fractions on human gingival KB cells exposed to the periodontal pathogens Prevotella intermedia and Actinomyces naeslundii were evaluated. Expression of cytokeratin 18 (CK18) and β4 integrin (β4INT) genes, that are involved in cell proliferation/differentiation and adhesion, and of the antimicrobial peptide β2 defensin (HβD2) in KB cells was increased upon exposure to either live or heat-killed bacteria. All LMM fractions tested prevented or reduced the induction of gene expression by P. intermedia and A. naeslundii depending on the experimental conditions. Overall, the results suggested that LMM fractions could modulate the effects of bacteria associated with periodontal disease in gingival cells.
Highlights
Periodontal diseases are a heterogeneous group of inflammatory conditions that involve the supporting tissues of the teeth and include gingivitis, in which only the gingivae are involved, and the various forms of periodontitis, chronic inflammatory conditions initiated by a polymicrobial infection that leads to gingival tissue destruction and alveolar bone resorption [1]
Expression of cytokeratin 18 (CK18) and β4 integrin (β4INT) genes, that are involved in cell proliferation/differentiation and adhesion, and of the antimicrobial peptide β2 defensin (HβD2) in KB cells was increased upon exposure to either live or heat-killed bacteria
The results suggested that Low molecular mass (LMM) fractions could modulate the effects of bacteria associated with periodontal disease in gingival cells
Summary
Periodontal diseases are a heterogeneous group of inflammatory conditions that involve the supporting tissues of the teeth and include gingivitis, in which only the gingivae are involved, and the various forms of periodontitis, chronic inflammatory conditions initiated by a polymicrobial infection that leads to gingival tissue destruction and alveolar bone resorption [1]. Gingivitis is the most prevalent form of periodontal disease that can be defined as “a nonspecific inflammatory process of the gingivae (gums) without destruction of the supporting tissues” This is a reversible condition as a return to meticulous dental hygiene practices will restore gingival health [2]. Several bacterial species have been implicated as aetiological agents of this disease: these include Actinomyces israelii, Actinomyces naeslundii, Actinomyces odontolyticus, Lactobacillus spp., Prevotella intermedia, Treponema spp., and Fusobacterium nucleatum [3]. Bacteria and their products can directly damage periodontal tissues and/or initiate inflammation locally. Different experimental systems can be utilized to evaluate cellular responses to different bacteria or antibacterial agents, from fibroblasts
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